Let Us Keep Christmas
More than any other season of the year, Christmas is a time for remembering friends, of kindness and generosity to all, a time when man literally lets the light of Christ shine forth; when love waxes strong among mankind.
Because it is such a heartwarming season, one author was prompted to write: “Whatever else be lost among the years. Let us keep Christmas – its meaning never ends; Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close this day remembering friends!”1
There is little in life that compares with true friendship. The Chinese say, “There are plenty of acquaintances in the world, but very few real friends.”2 Friends should be counted among our most valuable possessions. But how can we identify a real friend? Solomon gave the answer in Proverbs: “A friend loveth at all times.”3
If ever a person filled that description, it is Jesus Christ, the same whose name adorns this holiday season. It is He, in fact, who gave us the very guideposts for living.
He made friendship the cornerstone of His life: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you…I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”4
If our Lord and Savior is willing to call us friends and share with us His knowledge because He loves us, should we not return the confidence? And the way to do that is quite clear. “If ye love me,” He said, “keep my commandments.”5
“A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend,” wrote Charles Kingsley, “one … whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.”6 If ever we had such a friend it is Christ, the Lord. We should join with the angels and “Sing … a song of hope and great joy, for [ourl Savior is born … ” Therefore, let us always “hold close this day – remembering friends.”7
1Author Unknown
2From the Chinese
301d Testament, Proverbs 17:17
4New Testament, John 15:13-15
5lbid., 14:15
6Charles Kingsley (1819-75), Eng. clergy and novelist
7Paul Tschesnokov, “The Angels’ Song”
December 17, 1972
Broadcast Number 2,257